Does the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana need a design change?
Letters to The Editor May 3, 2024
Tipping point: on the GST and reforms
With robust GST revenues, the next government must prioritise vital reforms
The judiciarys shadow over standard essential patents
The government must put in place measures to regulate standard essential patents before the judiciary causes further damage to Indias manufacturing dreams
The difficulty of learning how opinions are shaped
During elections, it is a challenge to separate the voters own personal experience or opinion from propaganda
Recognise this leave as a womans right
A more pronounced stand by political parties on the issue of menstrual leave will boost womens rights and gender equality
Lazing in bed is a sanctuary of comfort in soft sheets, offering physical delight, mental liberation, and a celebration of the senses, including introspection and solutions to life's quandaries.
The article explores income and wealth inequality, taxation on the rich, and India's tax/GDP ratio. It questions if India's tax rate is low and analyzes wealth concentration trends and market efficiency, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive understanding of the data and perspectives.
Are you making more excuses not to vote?
Pramila Pujari, a 25-year-old art graduate from Odisha's Koraput seat, is contesting in the ongoing general elections with no cash and a bank balance of only 20,625. As a daily laborer, she relies on community support for her campaign, avoiding extravagant rallies and instead focusing on personal connections. Win or lose, Pujari's courage and resourcefulness serve as an inspiration, highlighting the importance of determination and hope in the political arena.
Why India needs to give more power to its regulators
Supreme Court rebukes IMA for unethical practices, highlighting inadequate regulations in India, affecting product quality. Urgent need for a healthcare regulator to address patient grievances and ensure affordable insurance coverage for citizens.
OTC policy can boost drug access, market
A government-appointed panel is considering allowing commonly used cough and cold medicines, antacids, and fever-reducing drugs to be sold over the counter (OTC) at general stores in India. While countries like Britain, the US, and Australia have clear guidelines for OTC drug sale, India lacks such regulations. In 2022, India approved a new OTC drug policy, but it was not implemented.
Stage set for more reforms, growth
Dabur India assured that all its spices meet the regulations set by the FSSAI for the Indian market and by the Spice Board of India for overseas markets. CEO Mohit Malhotra stated that export consignments undergo testing by the Spice Board before shipment, ensuring compliance with regulations. The company uses steam sterilization for export consignments and has established an in-house micro lab for microbial testing.
Maya conceals Brahmn, entangles consciousness, projects unreal as real. Adi Shankara states Brahmn alone is real, illusory world resides within. Satyam is eternal, mithya is transient. Deepfakes manipulate perception, like a maya within maya!
My journey with the Tridevi: Creating a graphic novel series
Imagine standing amidst the bustling energy of the National Childrens Literature Festival, clutching a prize for a short story titled Healing of Wounds. That moment sparked an exploration into the realm of childrens literature, eventually...
Issues in curative jurisdiction
Judicial twist. SCs recent ruling in the DMRC-DAMEPL case may undermine Indias image regarding dispute resolution
Patanjali episode raises larger regulatory issues
There are two regulatory lacuna one that pertains to mis-selling, which the Supreme Court called out in its April 23 hearing with respect to Patanjali, and the second that deals with the approval of proprietary AYUSH medicines
Letters to the Editor dated May 02, 2024
How to make our students industry-ready
Initiate industry-academia exchanges to recognise skill needs; issue work permits for students to validate knowledge gained
Indian bond yields stop swaying to the US tune
Indian sovereign bond yields have delinked from US treasury yields as lower govt debt, global bond index inclusion and a stable rupee, support prices
According to recent reports from the UK media, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has issued a warning that the United Kingdom is expected to have the lowest economic growth rate compared to...
Why Social Media Reactions to the University Protests in the US Are Premature?
Would we even have the appetite to entertain such protests without calling out religion or partisan politics?
Zendayas Challengers begs the question: Where is desire in Indian films today?
Congress fights for women, BJP reduced them to election jumla
Is Regulating Healthcare Costs Counterproductive? SC Order Opens Pandoras Box
The Indian private healthcare sector, the largest in the world, has so far was seen as being largely unregulated.
Unrelated Shooting Video Falsely Shared As Assassination Of Goldy Brar
A Lieutenant in the Fresno Police Department rubbished the online rumours of Goldy Brar being the victim of the recent shooting, in a statement to IANS.
OnePlus Watch 2 Review: The Power of Two
The OnePlus Watch 2 is the first Wear OS-powered smartwatch to run two operating systems accompanied by two independent processors. The purpose of this optimisation game is to deliver above-average battery life on what is mainly a Wear OS-powered device while delivering a smooth and practical software experience for the user. Its also priced unbelievably low ...
Covishields rare side-effects: In election season, dangers of politicising the vaccine
Indian agriculture as fascinating as ever despite all odds
Cultural history tells us that Adi Shankaracharya with barefoot travelled from the tip of Kanya Kumari to the tiff of Himalayas. If one dares a similar attempt, one will hardly witness the enchanting forest wealth...
Old Video Of Violence During Bike Rally In Odisha Peddled As West Bengal
BOOM found that the video shows violence that took place during Hanuman Jayanti celebrations in April 2023.
Video Of UP CM Adityanath Questioning PM Modi Is Doctored But Not A Deepfake
BOOM found that the video has been doctored by cutting and pasting different portions of his speech but is not a deepfake.
What obituaries about Paul Auster have missed: The answer may lie in one of his books
Self-driving Teslas cant sneak around the US-China silicon curtain
Elon Musks visit to China got Tesla a deal with Baidu, but will it help? The EV race in Asia this year will be won by the cheapest hardware, not the most cutting-edge software.
Javadekar-Jayarajan Row Over a Cup of Tea | Why the Kerala BJP is Worried
Discontent is growing within the BJP in Kerala over Sobha Surendran's recent revelations.
Trying to predict what the Indian voter will choose: A weathervane job?
Indias anti-defection law made elections about picking political parties more than individual candidates, which in turn has meant which way the electoral hawa or wind blows can make a significant difference to outcomes.
Suvendu greets people of Nandigram to mark his 2021 assembly
Kolkata, May 2 (UNI) Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday greeted the people of Nandigram with a salutation to mark his 3rd anniversary of winning against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the last state assembly poll in 2021. Pranaam Nandigram on the 3rd Anniversary of my []
Unemployment: The berojgari riddle
The persistent spectre of unemployment, berojgari in Hindi, has been haunting both the nation and our state for generations. The residents of Uttarakhand, particularly educated youth and skilled artisans, had pinned their hopes on the...
J&K: Police attach properties of drug peddler under NDPS Act in Baramulla
Srinagar: Police on Thursday attached the properties of a notorious drug peddler under the Narco Act in Jammu and Kashmirs Baramulla district. Police on Thursday said that properties including 9 Marlas land and a double-story residential house worth approximately Rs 50 lakh of a notorious drug peddler identified as Shabir Ahmad Sofi, a resident of []
Colombian president says to break diplomatic relations with Israel
Bogota: Colombia will sever diplomatic relations with Israel on Thursday, said President Gustavo Petro on Wednesday. Speaking to a crowd in the capital Bogota, the Colombian president referred to the Israeli government as genocidal. The era of genocide, of the extermination of an entire people before our eyes, before our humanity, cannot return, said Petro, []
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief criticises Modi
Kolhapur: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to put pressure on the countrys judicial system by making statements like his (Thackeray) Shiv Sena as nakali (fake) one. Addressing a public rally on Wednesday in the city in presence of NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar for Shreemant Shahu []
Police debunks WA messages about bomb recovery from Delhi schools
New Delhi: Refuting false claims being circulated on WhatsApp regarding the recovery of bombs from some schools in the national capital, the Delhi Police on Thursday urged the public to check the veracity and source of information of such messages. Delhi Police PRO Suman Nalwa in a social media post said, Fake news in the []
Indias manufacturing PMI dips to 58.8 in April from 59.1 in March
New Delhi: On the back of strong demand, Indias manufacturing activities continued to expand in April 2024 but the pace of growth moderated during this period, as per a survey findings published by S&P Global on Thursday. The HSBC India manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global, fell to 58.8 in April this []
Complete ban on laser shows in and around Kolkata Airport
Kolkata: Prohibitory orders under Section 144 Cr PC have been clamped in and around Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport by the local administration after the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate received complaints from the airport authorities that pilots are having problems during take off and touchdown following laser beams flashing around. The prohibitory orders, including that []
Prez Murmu to attend Central Univ convocation on May 6
Dharamshala (HP): Hectic preparations are underway at the Central University Himachal Pradesh here, ahead of President Droupadi Murmus visit. She is scheduled to attend its 7th convocation as chief guest on May 6. As many as 709 degrees would be conferred during the event, which is to be held at the Dharamshala Degree College auditorium. []
India hopes Palestines bid to become full UN member will be reconsidered and endorsed
New Delhi/New York: Amid the ongoing Gaza conflict and days after the US veto, India has voiced hope that Palestines bid to become a full member of the United Nations will be reconsidered and be endorsed by the other members. Indias Permanent Representative to the UN Ruchira Kamboj said in a statement in the UN []
The Limits of 'Berjeche Rajkaran' | On NDA's Seat-sharing Woes in Maharashtra
As things stand today, the BJP has bagged 27 seats, the Shiv Sena 14, and the NCP has been given four.
Economic redistribution: Whos afraid of progressive taxes?
Theyre needed to fund essential public services and foster a society with equal opportunity for all. Inheritance and wealth taxes may be inefficient, but lets properly ensure other direct levies raise more revenue from the rich than others.
Above-normal heatwave days were forecast in advance. Poll logistics cant escape changing climate. Its been a scorching summer so far in south India. April heat, as measured by average maximum temperatures, was the second highest...
Yesterday, schools in Delhi received emails about bombs on their premises. Delhi Police contacted all schools who were told to check emails. Close to 200 schools in Delhi-NCR reportedly received such mail. Obviously, there was...
Mastering the game: Exploring advanced training techniques in Table Tennis
As the pursuit of excellence in table tennis evolves, the training methods employed by athletes and coaches should also improve. Today, Im excited to share with you some of the most innovative and effective advanced...
Not just Patanjali in the Dock
It has taken continual SC push for the company to apologise. But misleading ads are rampant across the pharma industry. Commercial interests widely prevail over public health interests. The concept of evidence-based medicine is built...
The KYC disruption: Investors deserve better than this
Its unfortunate that so many investor accounts have been put on hold for identity data gaps. Yes, compliance matters. But companies and mutual funds couldve put in much more effort to help out
US Universities look like battlezones. Heres why
Students got mad when the first protests led to suspensions. Police action made it worse. Now, politicians have joined in, given this is a presidential election year The Israel-Palestine question, charges of antiSemitism and Islamophobia,...
Meta-Worse: Forget fractured vote. Pity ditto voter
My metaverse is currently less Zuckerberg, more Iyengar. What began with Zubin Sir culminated with Birjoo Sir. In the early 90s, I signed up with Zubin Zarthoshtimanesh. The unlikely name was attached to an appropriately...
May 2, 1984, Forty Years Ago: Bangladesh Deadlock
In an uncertain world, Indias trade push
Congress inheritance tax idea: Why Indian billionaires must pay
Vasuki Indicus and the divine serpent
By Narayani Ganesh Vasuki indicus is the name given to the 47 million-year-old, 15m-long fossilised vertebrae of the now extinct longest snake that ever lived, found in a Gujarat coal mine in 2004. Study and...
Paul Auster and writing as an act of faith
AI frontier: Can India leap ahead?
Microsoft will invest $1.7 billion in Indonesia as part of its grand AI plan. Indian IT service firms must keep pace with the AI trajectory. Lets combine local talent with openness to other models.
My Take 5 (Edition 16): The week that was in international affairs
Hi folks! Welcome back to another weekly wrap of international news. Lots happening as usual. So lets get started: Setbacks for Ukraine: Ukraines top commander Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi announced some reversals for Ukrainian...
Out-of-pocket spending remains high despite PMJAY, finds study in Chhattisgarh
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana aimed to reduce out-of-pocket health expenses. Chhattisgarh study highlighted costly private hospitals due to dual billing, affecting patients' expenses. Disparities in healthcare access and expenditure were noted among different population groups.
This is the season of the festival of democracy. On April 26, 2024, the second phase of polling for the Lok Sabha elections, I cast my vote along with Jyotsna Sahay Anand registering 100% participation...
Delhi breathed good air for 23 days in April. Thats not enough
The bulldozer and elections: Its not demolition, its domicide
Women negotiating lives in rain and late autumn
The sky is a grey rag, and the air toxic and muggy. The Delhi monsoon is a betrayal..Thus begins the latest novel,Never Never Land, by Namita Gokhale, which showcases again her talent of bringing out...
Why do some innovative ideas never see the light of day? Status quo bias.
Many of us hold onto outdated and ineffective ideas because of this behavioural trait. The human brain does not like to change. But innovation can be nurtured only by being open to ideas.
Lessons from RBIs action against Kotak Bank
RBI imposing curbs on Kotak Mahindra Bank (KMB) under section 35A on a cease and desist order exposes the banks weaknesses in operational risk management (ORM). RBI thus prevented KMB from onboarding new customers through...
In Myanmar, a weakening junta and an uncertain political future
Jaquar Introduces Qloud: first of its kind intuitive and cutting-edge shower technology.
Touch, the most intimate and intuitive of all human senses, now extends its power to your shower experience with Jaquars latest innovation Qloud. Designed to revolutionize the way we interact with our showers, Jaquar Qloud brings the joy and simplicity of touch to your daily routine. Touch- An All-Pervading Stimulus Touch is not just []
BJP hits back after Cong MLAs If Modi Dies remark
Belagavi: Congress MLA Raju Kage has once again landed himself at the center of a controversy, with his provocative statements, including his If Modi Dies remark during an election campaign in the Belagavi district. On Tuesday, Kage questioned the nations preparedness for alternative leadership in the event of Modis death, stating, If Modi dies, will []
Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan takes charge as Navy vice chief
New Delhi: Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan on Wednesday assumed the charge as the Vice Chief of Naval Staff. Commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1987, Swaminathan is a specialist in Communication and Electronic Warfare, an official statement said. A recipient of Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal, he has held several []
PIL filed in Delhi HC against deepfake videos
New Delhi: A PIL has been filed on Wednesday in the Delhi High Court against the circulation of deepfake videos trying to influence the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The plea was mentioned by Senior Advocate Jayant Mehta today before a Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora. Mehta informed []
2024 Elections Modi versus who !?
Between a rock and a hard place A few friends came home recently for dinner with their spouses. It was a motley crowd of bureaucrats, professionals and writers. The topic veered around inexorably to the...
Indian banks are slipping on a banana peel of tech adoption
Rapid progress in digital banking has exposed the system to risks. Drastic supervisory steps may be necessary, but they will not be enough. RBI must update its understanding of cybersecurity.
Sam Pitrodas inheritance tax idea: The rich will not pay and middle class will suffer
Tackling the illegal wildlife trade in India
In 2015, the forests of southern India witnessed a great tragedy as 28 elephants fell victim to a mass poaching operation. The law enforcement response that followed, Operation Shikar, was one of the most powerful...
What will the rising mercury this summer do to Indian inflation?
Its not a bright picture for prices. Indias balance of food-supply likelihoods has raised the question of whether fiscal 2024-25 will see monetary easing at all.
We are in a frantic race for post-industrial dominance
Industrial policy has reached epidemic levels globally. It is playing a role thats subject to the risk of resources being misallocated by policymakers.
Elon Musk shows why India cant take China-plus-one narrative for granted
The worlds discomfort with China, Washington-Beijing geopolitical tensions, and trade and tech wars had begun to lull India into thinking that all is at last in place for our manufacturing sector to take off
Public policy education could make a better country if done right
Engaging students and executives from various disciplines in tackling social challenges will bring forth talented problem-solvers. A wider and better understanding of our problems could improve policymaking.
GOIs foreign minister writes that the largest democratic exercise in history will be consequential far beyond India. What the world prizes is political stability and policy predictability, he argues The world today is turbulent and...
Rajya Sabha member and Congress minority affairs chief, 36-year-old poet and party spokesperson Imran Pratapgarhitells Subodh Ghildiyal that campaign language matters, how Congress pulled back the campaign to issues, and that polarising speech has run...
Loan recovery: Credit penetration must not turn into a nightmare
Wider loan supply is a vital economic pursuit in India, but app-driven lending is exposing people to coercive recovery tactics. The depravity these have sunk to gives credit a bad name.
Many Revannas: JDS chiefs grandson is yet another example of how the system coddles the powerful
Its election season. Thats the most likely explanation for JDS suspending Prajwal Revanna, grandson of the party president, who has been accused of sexually exploiting women. Political parties typically push back against similar accusations made...
SC unswayed by Ukhand govts action on Patanjali ads. Why did regulator need court orders to act? Yesterday, Supreme Court was unsparing in its takedown of Uttarakhands state licensing authority over its inaction in cracking...
Two Bhaisaaabs discussing the theatre of conflict and what it portends. Bhaisaab 1:Theyre going at it hammer and tongs, and the whole worlds watching. Bhaisaab 2: And the media are all full of it, adding...
Dont resist, embrace the natural flow of life
By:- Harvinder Pal Singh For a spiritual seeker, attainment of the Divine is the ultimate goal. For him, God is not a concept or an outcome of the mind. In the Divine he sees an...
Prajwal Revanna case: My moral outrage, as an MLA and a woman
Deepfake distortion: Has Indian politics fallen prey to it?
While deepfake worries predate Indian elections, fresh concerns have been sparked by recent video clips of politicians. Can we expect people to be duly sceptical of what they see and hear online?
